HL Deb 16 July 2002 vol 637 cc128-9WA
Lord Laird

asked Her Majesty's Government:

In view of the importance to Northern Ireland of air travel, whether they will consider removing taxation on travel to the mainland as they have done on travel from mainland Scotland to the Western Isles. [HL5057]

Lord McIntosh of Haringey

There are no such plans. The exemption from air passenger duty for flights from airports in the Scottish Highlands and Islands was introduced in recognition of the importance of air transport given the low density of population in the region. Population density in Northern Ireland is greater.